Criticism of AKP's 25-year rule in Turkey

Critics of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) have raised concerns regarding the socio-economic and political impact of its 25-year tenure in Turkey.

Initial criticisms focused on urban planning and land-use policies. Specifically, zoning amnesties, the 2/B regulation, and social housing projects have been described as creating widespread grievances among millions of citizens. These policies are characterized as a cycle of public discontent where revenue from land-use concessions is used to finance central politics.

Subsequent critiques expanded to broader systemic issues, often categorized as the ‘3Y’ issues: poverty, corruption, and prohibitions. Economic concerns include high inflation and a significant rise in poverty assistance recipients, which reportedly grew from under one million to over twenty million. Other areas of criticism include the commercialization of the healthcare system, the rise of private and religious-focused education, and the erosion of judicial independence and press freedom.